Politics & Government

Richland Township Plans to 'Redd Up' Former Pittsburgh Cut Flower Property

County agency providing $21,000 grant for the demolition of two buildings near Bakerstown Road.

The eyesore known as the former in Richland Township is going to be "redded up" with the help of a $21,000 grant.

Richland Township Solicitor Charles Means has been directed to inform the landowner, Florida-based Legacy Landings LLC, that the township plans to demolish two dilapidated garages on the property. A lien will be placed on the property to recover the cost.

Richland's board of supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday night to give Means the go-ahead.

Find out what's happening in Pine-Richlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The buildings on Bakerstown Road/Red Belt contain a minimal amount of hazardous materials and have decayed to the point that they are open to trespassers, township Manager Dean Bastianini said.

Demolishing the greenhouses that cover about 10 acres of the 180-acre parcel at 4136 Bakerstown Road is not practical because of the high cost of cleaning up asbestos used to insulate pipes, said Bastianini.

Find out what's happening in Pine-Richlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Allegheny County Economic Development Office awarded the $21,000 Community Development Block Grant to the township.

A solicitation for bids to demolish the buildings will go out in March, Bastianini said. 

Allegheny Land Trust is involved in negotiations to buy the deteriorating 180-acre property and transform it into a solar farm and green space. The property has been neglected since Pittsburgh Cut Flower Co. closed the operation 22 years ago.

The greenhouses that once supplied flowers to retailers across the country have degenerated into dilapidated structures of broken glass and frames, with native trees poking out of the roofs. 

 

What do you think of Richland's plans to tear down the two garages? We welcome your views. Please log in with your real name, not a pseudonym, to leave a comment. Thank you!


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Pine-Richland